Mark Martin May Be The Big Story in Nascar for 2009

This year's big stories were Kyle Bush and Jimmie Johnson winning.  You also had lots of stories about Gordon not winning a race for the first time in years.  It seems microphones and cameras were pointed at everyone but Mark Martin.

He was a part-timer, an over the hill almost was.  He wasn't in the chase, wasn't a winner this year and just wasn't very interesting.  At least that's how Mark Martin felt.

"Well, it's just how it's covered today," Martin said recently. "I obviously was in the Chase every year that they had it and I'm not really used to qualifying second or third and not having anybody ask me any questions -- or finishing in the top five two weeks in a row and not even being interviewed after the race.

"It seems different than the way I remembered it. But maybe next year will be different, you know? It's OK. It is what it is."

Next year will be different?  That is an understatement.  Running a part time schedule that included 11 less starts than full time drivers, he still finished 27th in points.

Given access the a Rick Hendrick car and a full time schedule, not only will Martin make the chase, but will have perhaps his best and last shot at finally winning a title.

Hardly any driver is more respected and very few have the experience that this 49 year old brings to the track.  With Hendrick team mates at Daytona, where it's so important to have good drafting and pushing partners, it would not be surprising to see Martin start off with a bang.

He came so close in the 2007 Daytona 500 just being nosed out in the end by Kevin Harvick, a Hendrick car may be just the little edge he's been needing.

One thing is for sure though.  Mark Martin will be a story you can't ignore in 2009.  I think that might just please Mark just fine.